Fruit inspection and grading system



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Nov. 18, 1952 Filed July 21, 195o NOV. 18, 1952 R, C, PAULUS 2,618,387

FRUIT INSPECTION AND GRADING SYSTEM Filed July 2l, 1950 2-SHEETS-Sl-IEET 2 INVENToiz. Maf-,W c.' ,LJ-razas:

Patented Nov. 18, l1952 UNITED STATES PATENT GIF-FICI?.

2;618,387 FRUIT INSPECTION AND GRADING 'SYSTEM Robert C. Paulus, Portland, Oreg. Application July 21, 1950, Serial No. 175,043

3 Claims. l

This invention relates to a method of inspecting fruit and the like, and 'more particularly to a device which 'may be employed to inspect, grade, and separate fruit or similar products from Aa mass containing units kof different grade and quality.

In 'the canning or packaging of fruits, the fruit is graded or separated into grades of different size and quality prior to canning or packaging. These grades in the descending order of quality are generally: fancy, choice, standard, seconds and water (or pie grade.

Heretofore the general practice in grading and separating a product such as fruit has been to support 'the fruit to be 'graded on a conveyor belt for movement along a horizontal path of travel and to manually remove the fruit at various points in the path of travel of the fruit depending on its grade, and then transfer the same to the appropriate filling station at which the 'product is canned. Or the fruit may be selected according to its quality and immediately inserted into a can Vwithout additional handling.

' This practice generally involves the handling of each piece of fruit to inspect it from all sides for immediate canning or the transfer' to another belt which carries fruit of one particular grade to the 'appropriate filler.

It is well known that excessive handling ofv delicate fruit such as pears mars its appearance and therefore its quality thereby resulting in a lower value. Furthermore, the handling of such 'fruit represents a los's' of time and effort on the part of the inspector, which loss results in a loss of 'profits or an increase in the cost of the fruit when sold.

In addition, inspection and grading processes have, in the past, involved the use of a large number of conveyor belts (usually one for each grade) which increases machinery cost and also its maintenance. Furthermore, the area of plant space required for four or five conveyors is considerable and represents a high overhead cost which in turn is reflected in a loss of profits.

Another disadvantage which is often inherent in `prior grading methods is that the canning operator has various grades to choose from on the belt before him and therefore the actual canning operation is slowed up because of the time taken to sort the fruit in addition to the manual operation of' canning.

The main object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of present inspection systems and installations.

Another object of the invention is the provision 2 0f a. fruit inspection v`irztble Whidh 'may fst in a relatively small space andy which permite speedy inspection and grading of fruit prior lt the filling operation.

Yet another object of the "invention the provision 'of a structure comprising yaI 'unique ar-V rangement of Aconveyor belts which permits fa great reduction 'of the 'number vof manual 'opere ations involved thereby 'reducing the number vof operators required.

Still another `object of the invention is the profvision of van inspection table which lends itself to a high speed canning operation and which ob'- viates the selection process which heretofore has' been one of the functions lof vthe operator whoV lls the cans. y i

Another Vobject of 'the'invention 'is the provisiiziri of a system for fruit inspection and grading which is extremely nexible and which 'adapts itself readily to different runs -of fruit. It should 'be noted in Ithis connection that an inspection table" which is highly 'eflcient when the various grades of fruit lbear a xed proportion 'to the 'total amount may become inefficient when therevv is a sudden "change in such proportion. e

Other objects and advantages will b'e'apparent from the following 'specification and from. the drawings wherein: n y

Fig. l is a semi-schematic plan' View of one 'end of the structure of the Vpresent invention.

Fig. 2 represents a continuation of lthe struckture of Fig. l showing the other n'd f th invention.

Fig. 3 iS a Vertical rb'S'S-'Sctinal lw'lalen through a portion of the invention'shownggthe sorting station. The belt supports are omitted yfor clarity.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View of one o'f the iilling stations of the structure as taken along lines ll-4 of Fig. `2.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional viewy through another sorting station as taken along lines 5-5 Of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional View through a por tion of the conveyor system as taken along lines s-eof Fig. 2. e

The 'structure of the present invention 'is.elon gated to such an extent that the .portion at which the rst stages of the invention are carried ot is represented in Fig. l the direction of movement l ofthe fruit `being from right to left. The portion' representingthe later vstages is -shown ein Fig. 2.

The invention will be described in connection with the inspection and ,gradingr of the Aripened pears since the problems 'involved with -pearsfare greater than with other fruit because of their susceptibility to damage. However, it will be apparent that the use of the invention is not necessarily limited to one type of product.

Referring to Fig. 1, a chute or belt I supports the fruit for horizontal movement from the peelers (not shown) to a turner 2 and connects withfthe turner to transfer the fruit from the belt to the turner in the usualmanner. The fruit comes from the peeler in halves after being cut through the core longitudinally of the pear.

'Ihe turner 2, which is conventional, receives the fruit halves from the belt or chute I and automatically turns the halves so that their core sides are up and at the same time carries the fruit forwardly in the direction of travel indicated by arrows in Fig. 1. The elevation of the belt I is somewhat higher than that of the turner 2 so that the fruit halves are carri/ed through the turner by gravity. This particular structure is old and no claim is made thereto except insofar as the same is employed in combination with the remainder of the invention.

, The pears are ejecting from the forward end of the turner 2 with their core sides up and slide downwardly along an inclined chute 3 and onto a relatively short horizontally disposed belt conveyor generally designated 4 on which the pears are carried to a second turner 5. Adjacent the upper run of the belt 4 is a stationary shelf 6 extending longitudinally of said belt and having a plurality of openings 'I therein adapted to permit the passage of fruit halves therethrough. Inspection personnel may be stationed adjacent the shelf 6 as schematically indicated at A in Fig. 1. .A platform 9 must be provided on which suchA personnel may stand since the elevation of the upper run of the belt 4 is somewhat higher than thev subsequent parts of the inspection process." A plurality of chutes IIJ (Fig. 5) are secured at their upper ends to the shelf 6 and are inclined downwardly and in a direction transversely of the belt 4 and terminate at a point directly under the edge of the belt 4 which is opposite from the shelf 6. These chutes I register with the openings 1 in the shelf 6 so that fruit lpassed through said openings will be carried downwardly and under the belt 4 to endless belt I which is adjacent belt 4, but spaced downwardly therefrom. The endless belt 4 is supported at its ends on pulleys I6 and I'I journalled in bearings I8 and I9 respectively which in turn are supported on uprights 20 (Figs. 1 and 5). The forward pulley II (forward being the directi'on toward which the fruit is moving) is driven by a belt 2I which in turn is driven by a motor 22 through a reducer 23. A stationary frame member 25 secured to uprights 20 extends longitudinally alongside the edge of the belt 4 that vis opposite the shelf 6 to prevent the fruit on said belt from falling off (Fig. 5). The operators A visually inspect the core side of the fruit as it moves along belt 4 and remove any fruit lhaving defects which must be removed. Fruit having no core defects continues along the belt 4 to the second turner 5. Defective fruit removed from the belt 4 is passed through the openings 1 and conveyed by the chutes I0 to the belt'^l5 'Y The turner 5 then automatically turns the passed fruit so that it is ejected at the forward end of the turner with the core side down and the convex side up onto a belt conveyor 26 which is similar to belt 4 but substantially longer. Due to the change in elevation of the fruit as it passes downwardly through the turner 5 the horizontally extending belt I5 is disposed in the same horizontal plane as belt 25 and is in side by side relationship with the latter which receives the fruit, core down, from the turner 5.

The belt 26 is supported at its rear end adjacent the turner 5 on an idler pulley 2'I which is mounted in bearings 28. On the side of the belt 26 opposite the belt I5v is another belt 30 which is preferably of the same width as belt I5 and which is positioned with its rear end adjacent the forward end of turner 5. This belt 30 is carried at its rear end by idler pulley 3| supported in bearings 32.

Inspection personnel, schematically indicated at B (Fig. 1), may be stationed alongside belts 26 and 30 respectively. These operators B visually inspect the convex sides of the fruit coming from turner 5 and transfer fruit having defects which must be removed from the belt 26 to belt I5 or 30 depending on which side of the conveyor the operator is positioned. It will be noted that fruit having no defects whatever (i. e. fancy fruit) continues along the belt 26 untouched.

Spaced forwardly of the turner 5 are a pair of deflectors generally designated 35, each comprising two angularly connected sides 36, 3l. These deflectors are positioned so that the sides 36 deect the fruit carried by belts I5 and 30 horizontally outwardly and sides 31 are positioned to deflect the fruit which is carried by the marginal portions of the belt 26 horizontally inwardly towards the center of belt 26. The fruit deected from belts I5 and 30 falls into water troughs 38 positioned on opposite sides of the belt 26 and adjacent the belts I5 and 30 respectively. These troughs 38 are supported on vertical supports 39 and are preferably disposed so that the level of the water within the troughs is only slightly below the level of the belts. I5 and 30 (Fig. 3). The water is continuously running through the troughs 38 in the direction of the flow of fruit on the belt in the usual manner.

The length of the troughs 38 is such as to provide space for personnel schematically indicated at C (Figs. 1 and 2). These personnel remove the fruit from the troughs 38 and cut out the defective portions before replacing them on the belts in a manner which will subsequently be described.

A plurality of longitudinally extending vertically disposed stationary guide plates are positioned over the belts 26; I5 and 3D between the troughs 38 to define a series of transversely spaced passageways for different grades of fruit. Extending forwardly from the inner vertical edges of deflectors 35 and rigidly secured thereto are guides 45, 46 between which the pear halves of fancy grade are adapted t0 pass.

A cover plate 4'! is provided between the upper edges of guides 45, 46 to prevent fruit of other grades from being mixed with the fancy grade (Figs. 1, 3).

Spaced outwardly Vof guides 45, 46 and parallel thereto are guides 48, 4Q which are secured at their rear ends to the apexrof the deiiectors 35. Guide 48 is positioned directly over the edge of belt 25 adjacent belt I5 while guide 49 is positioned directly over theedge of belt 26 adjacent belt 3U. Guides 45 and 49 define a'path of travel on belt 26 along which choice pears may be carried while standard grade may be conned to the space between guides 48 and 46. l,

It will be apparent that operators C, after amasar:

removing defects from the pears in troughs 38 may place them between guides 45 and 49 or between guides 48 and 46 depending on their size and the extent to which their shape has been impaired. The cover plate 4l above the fancy fruit provides a surface across which the oper.` ators vmay slide the fruit when required.

Spaced outwardlyl of guides 48 and 49 are guides 50 and 5I which `are positioned centrally of'belts I5 vand 3|] vrespectively and which 'are secured atY theirrear. ends to the sides of deile'ctors 35.

Guides 52 and 53 which are positioned along the 'outer edges of belts i5 and 39 respectively are preferably frame members having a vertically disposed leg adjacent the edge of belts I5, 39 respectively vand 'a horizontal flange as shown in Fig. 3. The guides 48 and 59 thus define a path of travel on belt I5 for standard grade pears while a similar path or passageway for standard grade is defined on belt 39 between guides 49 and 5|. Guides 50, 52 and guides 5| and 53 define passageways for water grade pears on belts I5 and 3ll respectively.

By the above structure, five different grades of fruit may be sorted and carried forwardly on three conveyor belts and at the same time positive separation of pears of diierent grades is insured.

The frame members 52, 53 and the troughs 3S are vpreferably supported on vertical support members 39 (Fig. 3). For the purpose of supporting the guide elements i5-5I above and clear of the moving belts a plurality of pipes or bars 54 spaced longitudinally of the conveyor extend between the frame members 52, 53 and are secured at their ends to said members as by welding (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). The guide may be welded to these pipes at their upper edges. By this structure the belts are not engaged by any stationary members which would create resistance to their movement.

The cover plate 4l extends approximately the length of the troughs 38 and may be omitte d for the remainder of the length of the guide elements 45, 46 (Fig. 2). The belts l5 and 3G are supported adjacent the forward ends of the troughs 38 by driving pulley 55 which extends transversely between the upper and lower runs of belt 26 (Fig. 6). This pulley 55 is journalled in bearings 5B which in turn are supported on uprights 5l. A drive pulley'58 mounted on the shaft of pulley 55 drives belts|5 and 35 at the same speed as belt 25 and at the same time pulley 55 provides a support for the upper run of belt 26 (Fig. 6). A drive belt 59 connects the pulley 55 with a reducer G which in turn is driven by motor 6I (Fig. 2).

As best seen in Fig. 2 a belt 65 runs transversely of belt 25 between the upper and lower runs of the latter for the purpose of removing seconds and pie grade pears from the belts I5 and 30. A central guide 66 extends longitudinally along belt 55 centrally of the same thereby dividing the belt into two longitudinally extending portions 61, 68. The portion 51 is connected with the passageways between guides 49, 5| and between guides 48, 50 while portion 58 receives pears from the passageways between guides 59, 52 and between guides 5I, 53.

A relatively short chute 'Ill is secured at one end to the central guide 65 on belt 65 and at the other end to the guides 48 and 50 so that pears of second quality may be carried from belt I5 onto chute I is secured to guides 49 and 5| for conwardly directed deflector plate 'I5 which deflects' the standard grade pears off the belt 26 into ller where they are canned.

Similarly a deflector plate Il secured to guide.

45 deflects the choice grade pears into. a ller 65 which may be employed to `defiect one half of the pears which are carried on belt 25 between` guides 45 and 49 into the iiller 89. This arrangement would be employed'when it is desired to sort the choice pears into long and stub sub-grades. In such an event an operator schematically designated D in Fig. 2 may.- beA positioned rearwardly of the filler 8i! and adjacent the belt 25 for dividing the choice pears so that they will enter filler H3 or 3i) depending on their size.

It will be noted that `the fancy pears have continued along a path of travel centrally of the belt 26 without handling of any type. These pears may be canned at fillers and 85 which are positioned on opposite sides of belt 25, and attended by operators E, adjacent the forward end of the belt 25. vStationary rearwardly converging deilectors 5l, 83 are adapted to deflect the fancy pears in'to fillers 85, 86 respectively. To permit adjustment of the number of pear halves entering the filler 85. 85 an adjustable shear 92 is pivotally secured at its forward end to the juncture of deectors 81, 88 and is adjustably secured at its rear end to a support 9| Awhich in turn extends generally transversely Vacross belt 25 and is secured at its ends to the fillers 85, 85 respectively. Operators, schematically indicated at F may sort the pears into longs and shorts if desired so that the cans filled at fillers 85, 85 may be further Aclassified by the above mentioned grades.

The adjustable shear 89 permits use of only one filler if desired when the 'number of fancy pears in any run changes and if a break-down into longs and shorts is not desired. The number of canning operators E may of course be Var ied according to the proportion of fancy pears.

In Fig. 4 one of the fillers for fancy pears is shown in elevation, but it will be understood that the others are similar and of conventional structure. Each filler comprises a trough or chute I which receives the pears from the belt 26 and a frame IIlI which supports the cans during the filling operation. This frame IIH is formed with an upwardly directed leg |92 within which the cans pass downwardly from an upper can-filling station (not shown) After the cans are lled on the horizontal run of frame IIJI they are picked up by the conveyor |03 and transferred to the sealing station where the cans are sealed. It is pertinent to note that between the peeling and canning operations the fancy pears have been free from any manual handling with the exception perhaps of some sliding movement by operators E at the filling station although most of the pears enter the cans by gravity.

The belt 26 is supported at its forward end the portion 61 of transverse belt 65. Similarly a g5 and driven by the pulley |05 which is rotatably In Fig. 2 a relatively short deflector 'I9r is indicated intermediate the ller 'I3 and the belt- Vthe function of carrying defective fruit from which portions must beremoved and also fruit which has been trimmed and sorted according to size. Similarly belt 26 simultaneouslyv performs the three functions of carrying the mass of ungraded fruit, segregating the fancy fruit into one pathrof travel on belt 26 and at the `same time carrying the fancy, choice and standard fruit along separate paths of travel. Y

The inspection table above described makes for an extremely flexible arrangement. When the fruit is generally of a lower grade the number of trimmers along the troughs 38 may be increased and the number of fillers at the fancy filling station may be correspondingly reduced. In general the preferred procedure is to increase or reduce the number of trimmers so' as to keep the can filling'operation going at the most erlicient rate of speed; this can readily be done With the present invention.

It is pertinent to note that the present system lends itself to an eicient can lling arrangement since there is no inspection operation required by the operators filling the cans.

I claim:Y

' 1. In a fruit inspection and grading system for inspecting and grading fruit, a horizontally eX- tending conveyor adapted to support fruit halves thereon for movement longitudinally therewith toward a filling station, stationary means overV being covered and the remainder of said passagev ways being open along their upper sides over 'ccextensive portions of their lengths whereby fruit may be inserted into said remainder .of said passageways through their upper sides at said coextensive portions.

2. In a fruit inspection and grading system for r inspecting and grading fruit, a horizontally extending conveyor adapted to support fruit halves thereon for movement longitudinally therewith towards a filling station. a plurality of longitudinally extending guides positioned over said conveyor for forming passageways therebetween for fruits of diierent'grades, means for deecting fruit on said conveyor into one of said passageways centrally of said conveyor, the remainder of' said passageways being positioned on opposite sides of said one passageway and being open along their upper sides for receiving fruit halves therethrough during said movement, said one passageway being covered for a portion of its length coextensive with portions of said open passageways to prevent entrance of fruit to said one passageway except from said conveyor.

3. In a fruit inspection and grading system, rst and second inspection stations for inspecting the core side and convex side respectively of fruit halves, first and second conveyors for receiving defective fruit from said first and second inspection stations respectively and for moving such fruit along separate parallel paths of travel toward a trimming station, a third conveyor positioned between said rst and second conveyors and coplanar therewith for receiving passed fruit from said inspection stations, means for deilecting all fruit from said first and second conveyors into said trimming station, said conveyors extending past said trimming station for receiving fruit from the latterafter such fruit has been trimmed, means adjacent said trimming station for dividing each of said conveyors into a plurality of passageways adapted to receive fruit of different grades, one of said passageways on said third conveyor being covered and theremainder being open over coextensive portions of their lengths to prevent entrance of trimmed fruit into said one passageway.

ROBERT C. PAULUS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Fleming June 15, 1943 

